SAVING OUR WILDLIFE

An upbeat, positive look at ongoing efforts to preserve endangered North American animals, including the red wolf, California condor, black-footed ferret, and Devil's hole pupfish. The author describes both private and government efforts to protect animals by preventing habitat destruction; developing enlightened hunting and game-management programs; and using zoo breeding programs to reestablish wild populations. He persuasively argues that plants and animals are interconnected, and that even an obscure species may provide a vital contribution to the gene pool of planet earth. The text is occasionally somewhat technical (""There is no specific 'threshold' of population size that protects wildlife from harmful inbreeding or from other threats to survival""), but the details are fascinating and current. An excellent choice for older nature and conservation enthusiasts. Addresses of conservation organizations; further reading; index. Photos not seen.